Located on Grand Bahama Island, Freeport is a popular cruise port of call. Grand Bahama Island's location about sixty nautical miles off the coast of Florida makes it a convenient stop for short cruises from Florida as well as on longer sailings to the Bahamas from other ports in the southeast. Grand Bahama Island features beautiful white sand beaches, three national parks, a wide variety of water sports and much more.

If your next cruise is heading to Freeport, here are seven great things to do while you're in port.

1. Relax on a White Sand Beach. Lucayan National Park's Gold Rock Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. The sea is shallow and generally very clear - perfect for children or spotting huge starfish on the ocean floor. Come around low tide for the most spectacular pictures of the beach. Forty-acre Lucayan National Park has much more to explore, including underwater caves and hiking trails. Taino Beach is another popular location for relaxing in the sun. Junkanoo Beach Club is also popular with cruise passengers, since it’s located close to the cruise port. Carnival Cruise Line and some independent tour companies sell shore excursions to these beaches with transportation included.

2. Interact with Dolphins or Dive with Sharks. Located in the Port Lucaya Marina, UNEXSO provides a wide array of diving options and dolphin interaction experiences. Scuba divers can go out on UNEXSO's ever-popular shark dives. Wreck and reef dives, as well as learn to dive classes, are also available. Those seeking something a bit tamer can swim with dolphins or have a close encounter with a dolphin in The Dolphin Experience Lagoon. UNEXSO also offers open ocean dolphin swim and dive experiences, providing an opportunity to interact with dolphins in a natural nine-acre ocean lagoon along the South shore of Grand Bahama Island. Assistant Trainer for a Day tours are also available for those seeking a more hands-on experience.

3. Get a Resort Day Pass. Resort day passes are popular shore excursion options in Bahamian and Caribbean ports of call. Getting a resort day pass is a good option in Freeport as well. On Grand Bahama Island, many cruise passengers choose to spend their day at the Grand Lucayan Resort. Set on over seven beachfront acres, the resort features four pools, tons of water sports, two championship golf courses, tennis courts, a 25,000 square-foot spa and fitness center, and a number of dining options. A resort day pass at the Grand Lucayan Resort costs $20 for adults ages 13 and older and $10 for younger children. The Grand Lucayan Resort's day pass entitles guests to use the resort’s pools, beach and lounge chairs. Towels are not included. Other resort day pass options on Grand Bahama Island include Paradise Cove and the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort.

4. Shop and Dine at Port Lucaya Marketplace. Whether you're looking for Bahamian straw crafts, beachwear, artwork, designer fashions, sparkling jewelry or duty free shopping options - Port Lucaya Marketplace is the place to shop on Grand Bahama Island. Port Lucaya features over 40 stores and 16 restaurants serving Bahamian and international fare. There are also bars and food stands here as well. This is a great place to sample some fresh Bahamian fruit, refreshing coconut water, Bahamian baked goods, and local Bahamian delights such as conch fritters, crab soup, cracked lobster, and Bahamian fried fish.

5. Visit Garden of the Groves. The Garden of the Groves is a 12-acre nature experience where cruise guests can see beautiful vegetation, waterfalls, butterflies, and many species of resident and migratory birds. The Garden of the Groves has been certified by the U.S. Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat. There’s a playground for children there as well. Visitors can browse the Garden Shops and also enjoy lunch at their air-conditioned Garden Café. Grand Bahama Island’s 100-acre Rand Nature Center is another lovely place to explore, with nature trails showcasing as many as 130 varieties of Bahamian plants.

6. Snorkel Along Deadman's Reef. The waters around Grand Bahama Island are generally crystal clear, making it a great place for snorkeling. One of the most popular snorkeling spots is Deadman’s Reef. Paradise Cove offers direct access to Deadman's Reef and snorkeling is available right off the beach there. Peterson Cay, a small 1.5 acre national park, is another good spot for snorkeling and kayaking.

7. Sample Local Beers. Craft breweries and local beer tours are popular with today’s travelers – and Grand Bahama Island has its own locally created beers for vacationers to sample. Bahamian Brewery and Beverages produce a line of seven beers, stout and malt drinks using raw materials and malts sourced from Germany. The 60,000 square-foot brewery is located on twenty acres of land near the harbor and includes production facilities, a brewery tour area, retail and gift stores and a beer garden. Bahamian Brewery offers tours for visitors which showcase the company's 25-step brewing process. Following that, there's a beer tasting opportunity so tour participants can discover their favorite Bahamian Brewery beverages.